DHAKA: A series of major wildfires are burning in the Australian state of New South Wales with fears that hundreds of homes have been destroyed.

Fire crews are still tackling the blazes on the outskirts of Sydney, despite temperatures and winds easing.

One man has died while trying to protect his home.

Correspondents say bush fires are common in Australia but they have come earlier than normal this year, sparking concerns of further problems to come.

Deputy NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Rob Rogers said the fire situation was the worst he had seen in more than a decade and the threat was unlikely to ease for some time.

Source: BBC
BDST: 0856 HRS, OCT 18, 2013
AKA/GCP